A Friendly Family of String Instruments

The concert represents a synthesis of music, words of a narrator, riddles and a theatre performance. While playing, children get to know musical instruments and their sounds. The artists of the Astana Opera Orchestra will participate in the concert.

“Under the Banner of Chamber Music”

On 18 February 2018, the Gaziza Zhubanova String Quartet, a well-known ensemble, will give a concert.

Quartet musicians take part in the concerts of the Astana Opera House on a regular basis. This season, the artists will continue to delight guests of the capital as well as their devoted music fans with new performances.

ON THE EVENING PROGRAMME:

J.Haydn. String Quartet No. 3 in C Major, op.76

1. Allegro

2. Poco Adagio. Cantabile

3. Menuetto - Trio

4. Finale. Presto

B.Bartók. String Quartet No. 4 BB95

1. Allegro

2. Prestissimo, con sordino

3. Non troppo lento

4. Allegretto pizzicato

5. Allegro molto

F.Schubert. String Quintet in C Major, D956

1. Allegro ma non troppo

2. Adagio

3. Scherzo: Presto - Trio: Andante sostenuto

4. Allegretto

Soloist - Winner of International Competitions Tair Karatayev (cello)

The String Quartet is composed of:

Aidar Toktaliyev (1st violin)

Alexei Lebedev (2nd violin)

Bekzat Sailaubaiuly (viola)

Yernar Myntayev (cello)

Artistic Director - Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Yernar Myntaev

Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Management reserves the right to substitute performers and works performed

Musical Offering to АLMA MATER

Dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Kazakh National University of Arts

“Musical Offering toАLMA MATER”

2018 is an anniversary year both for Astana city and the main creative university of the capital - the Kazakh National University of Arts (Kazakh National Academy of Music).

Headed by Rector Aiman Mussakhodzhayeva, People’s Artist of Kazakhstan, “Kazakhstannyn Yenbek Yeri” and Professor, the Kazakh National University of Arts has become the “talent foundry” for many musical and theatrical teams of the country. Instrumentalists and vocalists, actors and producers, painters and operators, stage designers and sculptors successfully work, raising the national art of Kazakhstan to the higher international level.

Talented alumni of the University will give a concert devoted to this significant event featuring classical works and pieces by Kazakhstani composers.

Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Management reserves the right to substitute performers and works performed

C.Orff. Carmina Burana

On 21February2018, Carl Orff’s most popular composition cantata Carmina Burana, which he regarded as the real beginning of his career, will be performed in the Main Hall of the Astana Opera House. Carmina Burana is a scenic cantata composed by Carl Orff in 1935 and 1936, based on poems from the medieval collection of the same name. The first performance of the cantata took place on June 8, 1937.

Orff chose 25 songs, which were moralizing, domestic and genre in character and glorified simple worldly pleasures. There are three movements in the cantata: I – Primo vere; II – In taberna and III – Cours d’amour. The movements do not only depict separate scenes, but also form a closed unity. Fortuna, the goddess of fate, reins over the world, the rotation of its wheel brings happiness to people, and then overthrows them into the abyss. The musical image of Fortuna opens and closes the cantata.

Orff’s highly poetic music is folk in character. Well-disposed lyrics are combined with cheerfulness and drama in it.

Soloists:

Soprano – Alfiya Karimova, Honoured Artist of Bashkortostan

Tenor – Zhan Tapin, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan

Baritone – Talgat Galeyev

Chorus,Children's Chorus and Symphony Orchestra of the Astana Opera House

“Samuryk Kelgen Tan”

Premiere performance for children! The artistic team of the Astana Opera House will present the new musical tale “Samuryk Kelgen Tan” to young audiences. The fairy tale tells about the adventures of Aidar and Aizhan, who set out to find the magic bird Samruk. In this tale, our brave heroes and their faithful friends will find themselves in the wonderful country “Mangelik Yel”.

The composer, member of the Writers’ Union of Kazakhstan, Tleugazy Beissembek wrote both the music and libretto. The play has won the first prize of the 7th “Тauyelsizdik Tolgauy” Republican Competition in the “Dramatic Work for Children” category.

Director – Yeren Toikenov

Conductor – Ruslan Baimurzin

Costume Designer – Arassel Dosmuratova

Projection Designer – Azamat Kuttyguzhin

Lighting Designer – Sergey Kulak

Head of Children’s Chorus – Altynganym Akhmetova

Accompanists Responsible – Raushan Beskembirova, Meruert Zhekenova

Project Supervisor – Marzhan Zhakenova

Roles and Performers:

Aidar – Kazhymurat Yerkin / Mukhammad Koldas / Alikhan Armanuly

Aizhan – Liya Dulati / Liya Abayeva

Grandmother - Galiya Baigazinova, Honoured Artist of Kazakhstan /

Gulzhanat Sapakova

Wolf - Kazbek Dosmukhambetov /

Azamat Zheltyrguzov, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan

Fox - Ulpan Aubakirova / Dariga Mussayeva

Bear - Shyngys Rassylkhan / Azat Malik

Snow Leopard - Ramzat Balakishiyev / Almat Izbambetov

Bird Samruk - Madina Islamova

Spring - Yelena Ganzha / Nazym Sagyntay

Running time: 45 minutes

ORCHESTRA, EXTRAS AND PUPILS OF CHILDREN'S STUDIO OF THE ASTANA OPERA HOUSE

Aida

On 25 February 2018, G. Verdi’s opera “Aida” staged by the outstanding director and set designer of our times Franco Zeffirelli (La Scala, Italy) will be performed at the State Opera and Ballet Theatre “Astana Opera”.

Conductor – Honoured Worker of KazakhstanAbzal Mukhitdinov

Director – Natalya Kagadiy

Radamès – Oleg ZLAKOMAN (Ukraine)

In 1868, on the occasion of inauguration of the Suez Canal, the Egyptian government commissioned Verdi to write an opera based on a plot from the history of Egypt. It was planned to premiere the opera during the inauguration of the opera house in Cairo, but the composer refused. However, in 1870, he agreed and got acquainted with the scenario by the French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette, who used a legend about the struggle of ancient pharaohs against (Nubia) Ethiopia written on papyrus and decrypted by him. The scenery and costumes were created according to the drawings of Mariette. French author C. du Locle (1832-1903) wrote the prose text of the opera, and A. Ghislanzoni (1824-1893) created the poetic text. Verdi actively participated in the creation of the story, studying thoroughly the history and art of ancient Egypt.

“Aida” was first performed on 24 December 1871 in Cairo, and in Milan the following year. Both performances were a triumphal success.

The personal drama of the protagonists full of acute conflicts is unfolding against a background of monumental crowd scenes, triumphant marches and anthems. The obscurantism of the churchmen was embodied in the images of cruel priests, opposed by inner beauty and moral principles of Aida and Radamès: their love came through all the ordeals, even in the face of death. The opera sounds like a hymn to noble feelings.

I Love You and Melt Away…

A gallery of female lyrical images of the world opera will be presented to the audience of the Chamber Hall on February 27. The famous arias, duets and scenes from the operas by Kazakhstani, Italian and Russian composers will be performed by Astana Opera soloists, including Madina Islamova (soprano), Ramzat Balakishiyev (tenor) and Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Azamat Zheltyrguzov (baritone). The concert will also feature soloists of the orchestra: Balzhan Saparova (flute), Lyubov Tkachenko (harp) and Kirill Krasyukov (violin). Piano – Yelena Sakhno, Chief Accompanist of the Astana Opera House. Concert Presenter – musicologist Marzhan Zhakenova.

The phrase sung by Snow Maiden, the heroine of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera, in the Melting Scene has given the name to the evening. However, the other heroines perishing of love such as Liù and Mimi from G.Puccini’s operas Turandot and La bohème, Zhibek from the eponymous opera by Y.Brusilovsky and Giulietta from V.Bellini’s opera I Capuleti e i Montecchi – can also tell ‘I love and melt away’ about themselves. If the main character sadly bids farewell to her fiancé and friends, we are, on the contrary, happy about the early arrival of spring and its first holiday, on which women receive confessions of love.

Running time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Management reserves the right to substitute performers and works performed

Karagoz

The ballet Karagoz to the music of the renowned Kazakh composer Gaziza Zhubanova, staged by Professor of the European Ballet Academy, Laureate of the International Competition of Ballet Artists and Choreographers, Vakil Usmanov (Austria) will be performed at the State Opera and Ballet Theatre “Astana Opera”. Music Director and Conductor – Honoured Worker of KazakhstanAbzal Mukhitdinov, Conductor – Arman Urazgaliyev, Set Designers – Sofya Tasmagambetova and Pavel Dragunov.

It is not by chance that the ballet Karagoz has the subtitle Dramatic Pages of Love. The main heroine is forced by her grandmother – baibishe Morzhan – to marry the rich and handsome Narsha, who had falled in love with her. However, she gave her heart to the poet Syrym. The attempt to protest the traditions and defend her right for love ends tragically: Karagoz becomes insane and dies, followed by her devoted spouse Narsha. Syrym is in despair, and Morzhan is overtaken by deep remorse...

Music Will Touch The Strings Of Your Soul

The Day of Gratitude symbolizes the beginning of spring in Kazakhstan. March 1 marks the establishing of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, and this day we have a bright holiday celebration of fraternal friendship and love as a tribute to the mercy of the Kazakhs, who welcomed representatives of numerous nations and ethnic groups subjected to deportation.

The musicians will dedicate a concert programme, featuring violin miniatures, to the Day of Gratitude. You will be able to listen to well-known melodies, enjoy original ensembles and certainly appreciate the timbre advantages of Violin, the queen of musical instruments.

Renowned Kazakhstani artists, winners of international competitions, will take part in the concert.

On the programme:

C. Saint-Saëns. Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, op.28

C. Saint-Saëns. Havanez, op. 83

E. Chausson. Poème, op. 25

P. Tchaikovsky. Méditation, op. 42, No. 1

F. Kreisler. Love’s Joy, Love’s Sorrow, Lovely Rosemary

Performed by:

Askar Duissenbayev, laureate of the State Youth Award “Daryn” (violin)

Damir Sultanov, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan (accordion)

Anatoliy Yakushkin (double bass)

Alibi Asakayev (guitar)

Madina Bekmadiyeva (violin)

Dana Duissenbayeva (piano)

Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Management reserves the right to substitute performers and works performed

The plot of “La bohème” was borrowed from the popular French novel “Scènes de la vie de bohème” by Henri Murger. Puccini composed the music of “La bohème” in eight months. The world premiere of “La bohème” took place in Turin on 1 February 1896, conducted by twenty-eight-year-old Arturo Toscanini. Soon “La Bohème” won stages worldwide.

“La Bohème” is perhaps the most French in style and spirit Italian opera, characterized by surprising subtlety of the emotions. The opera is set in the Latin Quarter of Paris on Christmas Eve. All the opera’s characters are young. These are beggar intellectuals and inhabitants of a Parisian attic: poet Rodolfo, artist Marcello, musician Schaunard and philosopher Colline. Need is a constant companion of their lives, but they do not lose heart and have fun even when they have nothing to pay to the landlord or heat the fireplace. In everyday life, there is a place for joy, poetry, friendship and love.

A casual encounter of Rodolfo and Mimi, a seamstress girl, living in the same house, awakens love in his heart. Mimi returns his love. However, happiness does not last long. Rodolfo and Mimi break up: she is consumed by tuberculosis and Rodolfo’s housing is damp and cold. Winter passes and Mimi comes back to Rodolfo, but her days are numbered. The world is arranged so that the most pure, gentle and defenseless is doomed to destruction. There are four acts in the opera: the illusion of happiness reigns in the first two, in the others – the collapse of these illusions takes place.

The Carnival of the Animals

The Astana Opera presents creative project – a concert of music and poetry for children. “The Carnival of the Animals” suite by the French composer Camille Saint-Saëns, which is considered to be one of the most popular compositions for young spectators, will be performed. Children will listen to the symphony orchestra instruments and find out the way they can imitate animals and birds’ voices and behavior. Along with the artists, the children will find themselves in the city zoo at the Carnival of the Animals.

The suite was first performed on 9 March 1886. The composer regarded this work as a piece of fun and specified in his will that it should be published posthumously, seeing it as detracting from his ‘serious’ composer image. Thus, until the composer’s death in 1921, “The Carnival of the Animals” was performed only in private houses and salons.

“The Swan” for cello and piano was the only movement of the suite, which the composer allowed to publish and perform. During his lifetime it came to stay in the repertoire of musicians. The choreographic composition “The Dying Swan” staged by Mikhail Fokine for the great ballerina Anna Pavlova has boosted its popularity.

However, “The Carnival of the Animals” is full of humour, and ‘quotations’ or parodies on famous musical works can be heard in some of its movements.

The Symphony of Spring

“The Symphony of Spring” concert, featuring Ivan Bessonov, laureate of the 4th International Festival of Classical Music and Competition for Young Pianists “Astana Piano Passion” (Artistic Director of the Project – People’s Artist of Russia Denis Matsuev) will take place in the Main Hall of the Astana Opera House.

The “Astana Piano Passion” Competition aims to support young performers, expand creative ties worldwide and promote classical music. Ivan Bessonov, who won first prize of the Competition, was awarded a certificate to participate in the concert along with the Symphony Orchestra in the Main Hall of the Astana Opera House.

Ivan Bessonov was born in St. Petersburg in 2002. He began to study piano at the age of six. In 2015, he composed the music for the documentary film Varicella by Victor Kossakovsky, the premiere of which took place at the Message to Man International Film Festival in St. Petersburg. He has won six Grand Prix at the annual Étude Competition at the St. Petersburg Music Lyceum (2010–2015).

In 2015, he won the Grand Prix at the International Frédéric Chopin Competition for Youth in St. Petersburg, and in 2016, he won first prize at the International Anton Rubinstein Competition The Piano Miniature in Russian Music in St. Petersburg, as well as the Young Talents Award of the St. Petersburg City Government and the title of laureate and the audience award at the International Grand Piano Competition for Young Pianists in Moscow. He appeared in We Will Play Jazz concert at the Grand Kremlin Palace. In the summer and autumn of 2016, he toured towns throughout Russia.

One Thousand and One Confessions

“One Thousand and One Confessions” gala concert dedicated to the International Women’s Day will take place in the Chamber Hall of the Astana Opera House.

Opera singers, choir performers and orchestra of the Astana Opera House will present the brightest, most passionate, lyrical and heartfelt arias from the world opera classics, as well as Kazakh, Russian and Neapolitan songs and art songs to the beautiful ladies.

This bright musical show will become a magnificent gift to beloved women for the spring holiday.

Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Management reserves the right to substitute performers and works performed

The ballet “Swan Lake”, a masterpiece of the world’s classical music, was commissioned to the composer by the Moscow Imperial Bolshoi Theatre in 1875. The scenario was based on a popular folk tale about a maiden, who was cursed by evil sources and turned into a bird. Prince Siegfried appears as Odette’s saviour, but his betrayal, predetermined by fate, turns out to be a tragic mistake. At a ball comes Odile, resembling remarkably Odette, though being alluring and insidious in contrast to shy and tender Odette. Breaking his oath to Odette, in fact, Siegfried remained faithful to his love. However, having understood his mistake, he confirms his love in his fight with evil sorcerer Von Rothbart.

There were three versions of the ballet. The first two were not well-received. And only the third version of 1895, was not only a success, but became the base for all succeeding versions. An extraordinary popularity of “Swan Lake” made it the symbol of classical ballet art. This ballet will be interesting for both neophytes and ballet lovers.

Приглашение на танец (AstanaOpera)

The “Invitation to Dance” concert that will become a confession of love to beautiful ladies will take place in the Chamber Hall of the Astana Opera House during the spring holidays. Solemn polonaises, playful tarantella, elegiac Dance of the Elves, rousing Romanian and Spanish dances and, of course, passionate Argentine tangos will be performed.

The ballet “Swan Lake”, a masterpiece of the world’s classical music, was commissioned to the composer by the Moscow Imperial Bolshoi Theatre in 1875. The scenario was based on a popular folk tale about a maiden, who was cursed by evil sources and turned into a bird. Prince Siegfried appears as Odette’s saviour, but his betrayal, predetermined by fate, turns out to be a tragic mistake. At a ball comes Odile, resembling remarkably Odette, though being alluring and insidious in contrast to shy and tender Odette. Breaking his oath to Odette, in fact, Siegfried remained faithful to his love. However, having understood his mistake, he confirms his love in his fight with evil sorcerer Von Rothbart.

There were three versions of the ballet. The first two were not well-received. And only the third version of 1895, was not only a success, but became the base for all succeeding versions. An extraordinary popularity of “Swan Lake” made it the symbol of classical ballet art. This ballet will be interesting for both neophytes and ballet lovers.

“Three, Four, Five”

“Three, Four, Five” concert, featuring chamber music which will be performed by a trio, a quartet and a quintet, will take place in the Chamber Hall of the Astana Opera House. Young musicians will present a new reading of the eternal classical music to the audience and the original structure of ensemble casts will open the new meanings of familiar works to the spectators as well as “refresh” their perception.

Классика: от патетики до карнавала (AstanaOpera)

On16 March 2018, at 7.00 pm, the “Classical Music: From Pathetics to Carnival” evening of piano music from “His Majesty The Piano” series, will take place in the Chamber Hall of the Astana Opera House. Soloist – winner of international competitions Daniyar Yessimkhanov.

The graduate of the A.Zhubanov Republican Secondary Special Music School for Gifted Children (class of G.Melkova), Daniyar Yessimkhanov made his debut on stage with the State Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of Kazakhstan at the age of 14.

In 1999, he started studying under Professor Vladimir Krainev at the Hannover University of Music, Drama and Media (FRG).

Since 2001, he has been giving solo concerts as well as performing with orchestras in the cities of Germany, Greece, Spain, Portugal, France, Morocco, the USA and Kazakhstan.

Daniyar Yessimkhanov is a scholarship holder of the Bolashak Presidential Programme (2005-2007).

He is a winner of international competitions in Greece (2006, 2007) and the USA (2009), participant of numerous international festivals including Kasseler Musikfest (FRG), Animato (Paris, France) and Amici del Pianoforte (San Daniele, Italy).

In 2009, he joined the Kazakh State Zhambyl Philharmonic Society as a soloist. Since 2010, he has been teaching at the piano department of the Kazakh National University of Arts. Daniyar Yessimkhanov has participated in numerous concerts both at home (Astana, Almaty and Pavlodar) and abroad (Paris and London).

Our spectators have already appreciated Daniyar Yessimkhanov’s mastery, whose performances were a great success in the Chamber Hall last season.

Flutes on Vacation

On 25 March at 6.00 pm, the flute music concert “Flutes on Vacation” will take place in the Chamber Hall of the Astana Opera House. Soloists of the Astana Opera Symphony Orchestra will perform as solo artists. Each of them will show himself or herself off both as a virtuoso performer and as a sensitive ensemble performer. The concert will feature wonderful music, which is not often performed in the Chamber Hall concerts.

On the programme:

J. Castérède. Flutes en Vacances

A. Jolivet. Concerto for Flute and String Orchestra

F. Borne. Fantasie for Flute and Strings on the themes from the opera Carmen by J. Bizet

C. Chaminade. Concertino

F. Doppler. HungarianFantasy for Flute

F. Martin. Ballade

J. Andersen. Ballade et Danse des Sylphes

F. Doppler. Fantasia on the themes from the opera Rigoletto by G. Verdi

The artists of the Astana Opera House have prepared “The Journey of Peer Gynt” to the music of Edvard Grieg, a new concert from the “Classical Music for Children” cycle, for the young audience, which will take place during their spring break.

Peer Gynt is an adventurer and dreamer, the main character of Henrik Ibsen’s play, to which Edward Grieg wrote the music. For many years, he wandered in foreign lands in search of wealth, glory and happiness. The fate led him into the desert and the underworld. When the wanderer returned home, people neither remembered nor needed him, except for his faithful sweetheart Solveig, who was waiting for him for forty years. This is the plot of Ibsen’s famous play Peer Gynt. Thanks to the magnificent music of Grieg, the literary work has become even more popular.

Both Henrik Ibsen’s play and Edvard Grieg’s music praise Norway, a magnificent northern country of dense forests, mysterious mountain ranges and narrow winding sea bays, called fjords. In their sounds, picturesque musical miniatures depict the gentle chirping of birds, the rustle of the wind, and the tunes of the shepherd’s svirel and hunting horns. Following the main hero, we find ourselves “In the Hall of the Mountain King”, the Troll Kingdom. The music of this movement is fantastic and mysterious. The melody, like an unknown force, drives the fairytale characters, carrying them away in a rushing whirlwind. The Lullaby that Solveig sings to her beloved Peer Gynt is one of the most popular episodes of Grieg’s musical canvas.

Soloists and the Symphony Orchestra of the Astana Opera House will perform music from the suite Peer Gynt and some pieces from the Children’s Songs by E.Grieg.

Khan Ghirei, cruel Tartar commander, rampages in Poland. During one of his invasions, he attacks a Polish castle where birthday celebrations for Maria, the daughter of a Polish noble lord, were underway. The tartars kill everyone except Maria whom Khan falls desperately in love with.

In the harem of Bakhchisarai palace the captive Maria meets Ghirei’s favorite wife Zarema who lost her status because of the young Polish girl. The same evening Khan implores Maria to accept his love, but she is only afraid and repelled by Ghirei. Khan Ghirei humbly leaves. Zarema enters the bed-chamber. She demands that Maria alienate Ghirei from herself, Maria tries to explain that she will never love Ghirei. Zarema sees Khan’s scull-cap forgotten by him, and seized with jealousy, kills Maria. Ghirei is overwhelmed by grief.

The ballet was based on the eponymous poem by A. Pushkin, which he wrote inspired by the ancient legends about the fountain of Bakhchisarai, also known as the Fountain of Tears.

The world premiere took place in 1934 at the State Opera and Ballet Theatre named after S.M. Kirov (Mariinsky Theatre). The innovation of the young choreographer R. Zakharov was in mixing and opposing western and eastern dancing styles, thereby highlighting two different worlds – subtle lyricism of the first stands in sharp contrast to deep belligerent feelings of the other.

Музыкальный калейдоскоп (AstanaOpera)

The Astana Opera artists invite residents and guests of the capital to attend a musical evening dedicated to the April Fools’ Day, which is celebrated on April 1.

“Musical Kaleidoscope” is a concert full of good mood, musical jokes and surprises. The concert has been prepared by talented instrumentalists and singers united by one common idea which is to splash the first April evening with bright musical colours and give the audience a good portion of joy and inspiration!

The evening programme features the brightest works of the symphonic and opera genre including music by W.A.Mozart, E.Kálmán, J.Strauss, G.Rossini, L.Bernstein, P.Tchaikovsky, T.Khrennikov, D.Kabalevsky and other composers.

Opera soloists and orchestra musicians will perform on stage along with the Astana Opera Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Abzal Mukhitdinov.

If you celebrate this holiday together with the Astana Opera musicians, you will never regret it!

Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Management reserves the right to substitute performers and works performed

Notre Dame de Paris

The author of the libretto (based on the novel by Victor Hugo) and choreographer is Roland Petit. Set design by René Allio, costumes by Yves Saint Laurent. Revival of Choreography – Luigi Bonino, Assistant – Gillian Whittingham. Music Director and Conductor – Arman Urazgaliyev.

The premiere took place on December 11, 1965, at the Paris Opera.

In 1844, Jules Perrot staged the ballet “La Esmeralda” based on Victor Hugo’s novel. However, Roland Petit changed back the original title to assert his interpretation: “I want the Middle Ages to be forgotten, so that the tragic sense of Victor Hugo’s creation become clearer to the audience".

It is not the beautiful gypsy, who is in the centre of his ballet, but Quasimodo. The choreographer, who was also the first performer of this part, did not need to put on a disfiguring costume and make-up – he ‘danced’ his hump. Quasimodo’s regeneration – from the dog-like loyalty to his ‘master’ Claude Frollo to the heroic attempt to save the innocent Esmeralda and take revenge for her death – is convincingly presented on stage.

The sharp grotesque, imbued with modern plasticity, accentuates perfect beauty of classical dance in the ballet “Notre Dame de Paris”. The harsh reality and grim fantasy are intricately combined in this monumental tragic spectacle. If the 19th century “La Esmeralda” had an obligatory happy ending, the lone miserable Quasimodo is the only character who is left alive in the severe 20th century performance.

The celebrated fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, who has created the costumes for the ballet, shocked the whole Parisian beau monde by having dressed the heroine in staggering mini – miniskirts were timidly coming into fashion in those years. However, he was sure that the beautiful and conquering all men Esmeralda should enter the stage wearing such a white-lilac mini-dress.

It was a victory of Roland Petit and his team of directors: almost immediately after the premiere, “Notre Dame de Paris” became a classic of the world choreography.

Notre Dame de Paris

The author of the libretto (based on the novel by Victor Hugo) and choreographer is Roland Petit. Set design by René Allio, costumes by Yves Saint Laurent. Revival of Choreography – Luigi Bonino, Assistant – Gillian Whittingham. Music Director and Conductor – Arman Urazgaliyev.

The premiere took place on December 11, 1965, at the Paris Opera.

In 1844, Jules Perrot staged the ballet “La Esmeralda” based on Victor Hugo’s novel. However, Roland Petit changed back the original title to assert his interpretation: “I want the Middle Ages to be forgotten, so that the tragic sense of Victor Hugo’s creation become clearer to the audience".

It is not the beautiful gypsy, who is in the centre of his ballet, but Quasimodo. The choreographer, who was also the first performer of this part, did not need to put on a disfiguring costume and make-up – he ‘danced’ his hump. Quasimodo’s regeneration – from the dog-like loyalty to his ‘master’ Claude Frollo to the heroic attempt to save the innocent Esmeralda and take revenge for her death – is convincingly presented on stage.

The sharp grotesque, imbued with modern plasticity, accentuates perfect beauty of classical dance in the ballet “Notre Dame de Paris”. The harsh reality and grim fantasy are intricately combined in this monumental tragic spectacle. If the 19th century “La Esmeralda” had an obligatory happy ending, the lone miserable Quasimodo is the only character who is left alive in the severe 20th century performance.

The celebrated fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, who has created the costumes for the ballet, shocked the whole Parisian beau monde by having dressed the heroine in staggering mini – miniskirts were timidly coming into fashion in those years. However, he was sure that the beautiful and conquering all men Esmeralda should enter the stage wearing such a white-lilac mini-dress.

It was a victory of Roland Petit and his team of directors: almost immediately after the premiere, “Notre Dame de Paris” became a classic of the world choreography.

REQUIEM

Opera Soloists, Chorus and Symphony Orchestra of the Astana Opera House

Chief Choirmaster – Honoured Worker of KazakhstanYerzhan Dautov

Conductor – Honoured Worker of KazakhstanAbzal Mukhitdinov

Requiem is one of the most distinguished works of Verdi and yet his only major work, not intended for the opera house.

Death of Alessandro Manzoni, an Italian poet and writer, the author of the novel The Betrothed, who was also one of the prominent figures of the Italian national liberation movement, initiated the composing of this work.

Requiem was first performed on 22 May 1874 in Milan, marking the anniversary of Manzoni’s death. Verdi himself conducted the grand choir, orchestra and the best Italian singers. A few days later Requiem was repeated with great success at the Milan opera house La Scala, and then in Paris, Vienna, St. Petersburg and other cities. In addition, everywhere Requiem went down very well with the audience, which often applauded vigorously and demanded a repetition of certain movements.

Verdi’s Requiem, along with Mozart’s Requiem, is one of the most performed works of this genre.

The first Kazakh opera KyzZhibek created 83 years ago was immediately recognized as a gem of the national musical art. The renowned playwright and writer Gabit Musrepov wrote the libretto, based on the eponymous folk lyric and epic poem about the tragic love of Zhibek and Tulegen. The music was written by composer Yevgeny Brusilovsky, who actively used Kazakh folk songs and kyuis, as well as works by folk composers such as Ybrai, Mukhit, Zhayau Mussa and Tattimbet, and boldly adopted the European art of instrumentation and harmony to the Kazakh music.

The premiere of the opera took place in 1934 at the Kazakh Musical Theatre (now, the Abai State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre). In May 1936, the opera KyzZhibek created a sensation when being performed as part of the First Decade of Arts and Literature in Moscow.

The lead roles at different times were graced by People’s Artists of the USSR K.Baiseitova, R.Jamanova, B.Tulegenova, People’s Artist of the Kazakh SSR – K.Baiseitov, M.Yerzhanov, Garifolla Kurmangaliyev, People’s Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.Ussenbayeva and others.

The ballet was first premiered on 23 January 1877 at the Bolshoi Theatre (Saint Petersburg). Subsequently, many great choreographers turned to this ballet, however, the version by Vakhtang Chabukiani and Vladimir Ponomarev, staged in 1941 and revised in 1948, is nowadays considered to be the most remarkable one.

“La Bayadère” is set in the Royal India of the past. The temple dancer (bayadère) Nikia is loved by the High Brahmin and the noble warrior Solor. The Rajha Dugmanta, who is unaware of these passions, decides to reward Solor and decrees that the warrior will marry his daughter, Gamzatti. Solor is thrown into confusion, but he cannot reject such an honour. The High Brahmin informs the Rajah of Nikia and Solor’s love. The Rajha is incensed and decides that it is Nikia who must die. But the High Priest, obsessed by forbidden passion for Nikia, did not expect such an outcome – he wants to do away with Solor.

Their dispute is overheard by Gamzatti. She summons Nikia to her room and demands that Nikia should give up Solor, moreover, she attempts to bribe Nikia. The insulted bayadère pulls out a dagger to strike Gamzatti, but a slave girl intervenes.

At the magnificent celebrations for the wedding of Solor and Gamzatti Nikia is ordered to entertain the public with her dances. As a reward, Gamzatti orders to present her a basket of flowers. Suddenly, a poisonous snake hidden in the basket slips out and bites the bayadère. Nikia refuses the antidote offered by the High Brahmin and dies.

Solor is distraught. Solor dreams, he is in the Kingdom of the Shades, where he sees Nikia. She reminds him of his vow and beckons him to follow her. Solor remains forever with his beloved in the Kingdom of the Shades.